Brigatellin 1764 - 1765

Curator: This is Brigatellin, a figure designed by Wenzel Neu. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection and stands about 16 centimeters tall. Editor: There's an immediate serenity in her posture, this woman with her lute. The floral patterns hint at a life of leisure, but there's something slightly melancholic in her gaze. Curator: Considering Neu's porcelain work, the refined clay speaks to the era's fascination with commedia dell'arte characters. The figure’s material existence underscores its status as a luxury item. Editor: And the lute, central to her identity, sings of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of beauty. It's a potent symbol of transient joy. Curator: Absolutely. The way this object was produced, its circulation as a commodity, and its status as a collectable all contribute to its meaning. Editor: For me, the beauty lies in the enduring power of its imagery, the universal feelings it evokes, even now. Curator: A perspective I find fascinating.